The tricolored-plumage ara macaws, best known as guacamayas, are one of
the endangered species in Venezuela because they are frequently extracted
from their habitat in the Amazonas, where they mate for life. This is the
reason why they die when they are hunted and taken out of their
environment.

These birds, and other animals such as parrots, monkeys and snakes, are
exhibited by their captors in cages for days on the main road of Amazonas
state, southern Venezuela. Their buyers move them in wrapped boxes to
bypass the National Guard checkpoints. When they reach their "new home,"
these animals usually die as a result of stress and sudden habitat
change.

Hence, the Bolivarian Government is taking measures in the Metropolitan
Area of Caracas and the states of Anzoategui, Bolivar, Falcon, Guarico,
Lara, Monagas, Miranda, Sucre, Zulia and Yaracuy in order to guarantee
that this situation does not worsen.

The measures ban the illicit trade and possession of birds and other
wildlife species, as well as products derived from wildlife, on public
roads (roads, highways, paths, streets and avenues) and in unauthorized
shops.

In addition to these measures, the Venezuelan state is promoting a
number of environmental preservation programs.

Arrau Turtle Preservation Program

The arrau turtle, also known in Venezuela as the Orinoco turtle, is the
biggest of the Podocnemis genus and was widely abundant 200 years ago.
Nevertheless, since 1995 it is an endangered species, although it has
been legally protected since 1946.

In the first quarter of 2011, the Bolivarian government, through the
environment ministry, freed 10,000 Arrau turtles (Podocnemis expansa) in
Amazonas state, Venezuela's south, as part of the conservation program to
protect this endangered species.

The program, which is being developed to prevent illegal hunting, aims
to transport endangered nests to zoo-farms over a one year period, in
order to subsequently return the species to their natural habitat. Over
51,000 turtles bred in captivity are expected to be freed this year.

Jose Zambrano, director of the environmental office in Amazonas, said
that this activity 'shows the interest of the Bolivarian government in
preserving wild fauna, especially endangered species.'

So far, 12,806 Arrau turtles have been freed in the Refuge of Wild Fauna
and Protecting Areas, located in the village of Santa Mar�a del Orinoco,
in the south-western state of Apure, and 6,000 in south-western Bol�var
state. By June, 22,000 turtles are expected to be freed in Azo�tegui
state, Venezuela's northeast, and 949 in Barinas state.

National Parks under protection

For a long time, Venezuela was the victim of an activity that caused
irreparable harm to the environment. The Fun Race private organization
staged off-road car races in different national parks of the country
where its participants had to cover hundreds of kilometres in the
shortest possible time. Many of the circuits did not have the
authorization required by the Venezuelan authorities to hold these races,
which helped the company earn millions.

Venezuela's Attorney General, Luisa Ortega Diaz, imposed a ban on this
type of activity. "These races cause irreparable harm because the
vegetation cover wears out and its recovery can take up to 200 years.

The Bolivarian government took legal actions and ordered the Fun Race
company to promote, design and develop awareness-raising campaigns to
show the ecological harm caused by this activity in the country's
national parks and protected areas.

Mission Tree recovers natural ecosystems

Venezuela features a 123.5 million-acre forest area that represents 56%
of its territory. In South America, this is equivalent to 5.6% of forests
and 1.3% of the world's forest area.

Communities nationwide have organized jointly with the Ministry of
People's Power for the Environment (Minamb) to working on the
consolidation of Mission Tree (Misi�n �rbol in Spanish), which aims to
contribute to the restoration and maintenance of forests and local green
areas.

Currently, nearly 5,200 conservation committees, comprised of 50,000
people, have been created. Over 19 million plants have been planted
throughout the country, thus allowing for the recovery of over 56 acres.
The Venezuelan minister for the environment, Alejandro Hitcher, said that
"the government's social program strengthens the spirit of conservation
of the population, thus contributing to economic development and
environmental sustainability."